Bollywood Bigwigs Shah Rukh Khan, Deepika Padukone Get Relief as Rajasthan HC Stays Cheating Probe

In a significant development for Bollywood superstars Shah Rukh Khan and Deepika Padukone, along with automotive giant Hyundai Motors India Ltd., the Rajasthan High Court (Jodhpur bench) has granted a temporary reprieve, staying the investigation into a cheating case filed against them.

The case, which had drawn considerable media attention, stemmed from a complaint lodged by Surendra Singh, a resident of Pali.

Singh had alleged that he was defrauded in an online contest organized by Hyundai. According to his complaint, he participated in the contest with the expectation of winning a car, but ultimately received no such prize, leading him to believe he was cheated. He specifically included the celebrated actors in his complaint, citing their prominent roles as brand ambassadors for Hyundai, implying their responsibility in the alleged deception.

The First Information Report (FIR) was registered in April 2023, following Singh's initial complaint in March 2023.

The charges brought against the petitioners were under serious sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC): Section 420, pertaining to cheating, and Section 406, related to criminal breach of trust. These sections imply a deliberate act of deceit and misappropriation of property entrusted to someone.

Justice Kuldeep Mathur, presiding over the case, heard the arguments put forth by the legal teams representing Shah Rukh Khan, Deepika Padukone, and Hyundai Motors.

The petitioners vehemently argued that the FIR was lodged on baseless and unsubstantiated facts, serving primarily as a tool for harassment. A key contention from their side was the legal principle that brand ambassadors, while lending their image to a company, are generally not liable for the operational or contractual disputes that may arise between the company and its customers.

They posited that any dispute stemming from the contest was essentially contractual in nature, rather than a criminal offense.

Furthermore, the defense highlighted that the terms and conditions of the online contest were clearly outlined and accessible to all participants. This point aimed to counter the allegation of deception by implying that participants were aware of the rules governing prize distribution and eligibility.

Following the arguments, Justice Mathur issued the stay order on the investigation.

The court has now sought detailed responses from both the state government and the complainant, Surendra Singh, granting them a period of four weeks to file their replies. This interim relief means that the police probe against the actors and Hyundai will remain on hold until the next scheduled hearing, bringing a temporary but significant pause to the legal proceedings.

This development underscores the complexities often involved when celebrities endorse products and the legal implications that can arise from consumer complaints, even when their involvement is primarily promotional.

The outcome of the full hearing will be keenly watched, as it could further clarify the extent of responsibility for brand ambassadors in such cases.